Job offer Postdoctoral Research Associate, Craniofacial & Regenerative Biology

King's College London; Camden Town; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading research university in the UK seeks a postdoc to investigate the role of the microbiome in olfaction using mouse models. Responsibilities include planning experiments, analyzing data, and managing a mouse colony as part of an interdisciplinary team. The position offers a full-time fixed-term contract until January 2028, with professional development opportunities available.

Benefits

10 days professional development

Supportive research environment

Qualifications

• Experience of developmental biology, regenerative biology or olfaction.
• Interest in microbiome-host interactions.
• Experience of molecular biology.
• Experience of imaging.
• Team worker.
• Original research publications.
• Presentation skills.
• Experience working with mouse models.
• Knowledge of bioinformatics.

Responsibilities

• Work to health and safety standards and maintain laboratory records.
• Complete research tasks, produce reports and analyses for scientific discussion.
• Collaborate within the team and participate in journal groups.
• Promote a positive research culture.

Skills

Developmental biology

Microbiome-host interactions

Molecular biology

Imaging

Team work

Original research publications

Presentation skills

Experience working with mouse models

Bioinformatics

Education

PhD in a relevant area

Job description

The detection of chemical cues from the outside world is fundamental to animal survival. In mammals, sensing of the external chemical environment governs diverse behaviours including selection of food, social interactions and avoidance of predators. Decoding the complex chemical milieu of odorants in the environment into functionally relevant responses requires similarly complex detection systems and, in many animals, this is achieved through two principal chemosensory systems: the main olfactory epithelium (MOE) and the vomeronasal organ (VNO) in the nose. These evolutionarily conserved olfactory organs contain millions of olfactory sensory neurons and vomeronasal sensory neurons that express arrays of chemosensory receptors each activated by a specific chemical signal. Sensory neurons of the MOE and VNO are the only neurons in mammals that are in direct contact with the external environment, which includes the specialised microbial communities of the nasal tissues. Given this direct contact, these sensory neurons are permanently exposed to oxidative stress, pathogens, or xenobiotics and, consequently, have a limited lifespan, compensated by continuous neurogenesis throughout adulthood. Increasingly, it is appreciated that development and maintenance of host tissues is influenced by the microbial communities that live in and on our skin, gut, mouth and nose. This can be due to direct contact, as in the gut, or via the production of microbial metabolites that have an indirect influence on development of organs such as the brain. Recent evidence from humans and mice suggests that the microbiome can also impact smell and chemosensing. Preliminary data from the lab have shown that germ‑free mice have an impaired olfactory function when compared to conventionally reared specific‑pathogen free mice, particularly with regard to pheromone sensing, and showed reduced expression of olfactory receptors. The postdoc will investigate the role of the host and maternal microbiota in the development and maintenance of chemosensing using mouse models in partnership with Oxford University. The results will highlight the under‑explored impact of the microbiome on chemosensation, teasing apart metabolite versus direct effects, and developmental changes versus maintenance. Of particular importance, the findings will open potential avenues to manipulate and rescue chemosensation through control of the microbial environment or provision of metabolites. The postdoc will be responsible for planning experiments in conjunction with Prof Tucker and Prof Curtis, performing experiments, analysing data and mouse colony management.

Responsibilities

• Work to an appropriate level of health and safety and perform such jobs as required for effective running of the laboratory.
• Maintain an up to date and comprehensible record of laboratory work, to make results accessible and complete.
• Work in a timely and organised fashion to complete pieces of research, produce reports or analyses and contribute to scientific discussion.
• Work with others in the group as part of a team and take part in journal groups and other team activities.
• Promote a positive research culture.

Contract and Benefits

This is a full‑time post (35 hours per week), and you will be offered a fixed‑term contract until 19th January 2028. Research staff at King’s are entitled to at least 10 days per year (pro‑rata) for professional development. This entitlement, from the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers, applies to Postdocs, Research Assistants, Research and Teaching Technicians, Teaching Fellows and AEP equivalent up to and including grade 7. Visit the Centre for Research Staff Development for more information.

Diversity and Inclusion

We pride ourselves on being inclusive and welcoming. We embrace diversity and want everyone to feel that they belong and are connected to others in our community. We are committed to working with our staff and unions on these and other issues, to continue to support our people and to develop a diverse and inclusive culture at King’s. As part of this commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and through this appointment process, it is our aim to develop candidate pools that include applicants from all backgrounds and communities. We ask all candidates to submit a copy of their CV, and a supporting statement, detailing how they meet the essential criteria listed in the advert. If we receive a strong field of candidates, we may use the desirable criteria to choose our final shortlist, so please include your evidence against these where possible. To find out how our managers will review your application, please take a look at our “How we Recruit” pages.

Qualifications

• Experience of developmental biology, regenerative biology or olfaction.
• Interest in microbiome‑host interactions.
• Experience of molecular biology.
• PhD in a relevant area.
• Experience of imaging.
• Team worker.
• Original research publications.
• Presentation skills.
• Experience working with mouse models.
• Knowledge of bioinformatics.

About the Lab

The Tucker lab is looking for a postdoc to work on a project funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC). The post is for two years to study the role of the microbiome in olfaction using mouse models. The selected applicant will join the vibrant and friendly Tucker lab and work as part of a team interacting with the group of Prof Mike Curtis. The postdoc will investigate the interactions between the olfactory system and the microbiome. The Tucker and Curtis labs are part of the internationally acclaimed Centre for Craniofacial and Regenerative Biology and Centre for Host‑microbiome interactions, both housed within Guy’s Hospital at King’s College London. The centres have over 100 research staff and students and major funding from the Medical Research Council, Biotechnology and Biomedical Science Research Council, Wellcome Trust and European Union. Groups occupy newly refurbished laboratories and core facilities on floor 27 and 17 of Guy’s Tower.